Helping others to understand FEMAs role

Davin has been conveniently silent (yeah I know he's "busy" ;-) to answer the post, so I'll let other folks who seem to have the same misunderstanding as to what FEMA and Federal response to emergencies is all about, and for yourself, teetering on irrational rage, to get some clearly needed perspective as well.

FEMA is not capable of being a first responder to any major or minor crisis - period.

Federal managing of local resources is too slow to create rapid reaction - period.

FEMA is a 3rd tier crisis management center which acts as a clearinghouse/consolidation point for diverse agencies such as the American Red Cross, the various military forces, the coast guard and all the various local, state and private sector emergency resources.

Imagine calling FEMA when your house catches on fire. They would in turn call your state directory assistance and in half an hour might have the number of your local fire department, but might have already dispatched another from a neighboring city. By the time they arrive, your house has almost fully burned down.

Is it FEMA's fault? Sure - if you are someone who doesn't understand anything about FEMA, DHS or the government.

Victimization mythology tells us we must never blame the victim for his circumstances - especially if they are poor and/or ignorant. If someone leaves the gas on without the pilot and their whole family never wakes up - nobody is to blame. The ghetto cocaine mom with 2 crack babies is a victim of circumstance. But Kate Moss? She is just a stupid, rich, spoiled cokehead.

When folks were dying you jumped up and blamed George Bush.

That's so ridiculous, I can't even begin to measure it. There may have been folks who were culpable and responsible for some of those hurricane deaths, but there is certainly one fellow who was not - and that was George Bush. You might as well blame yourself for those folks deaths.

And obviously, absolutely, positively NONE of these folks could in ANY way be blamed for their own circumstances. (Well, if they are found out to be rich and republican exceptions can be made)

If locals mismanage evacuating hospitals and those who are convalescent - it's somehow the Feds fault.

I haven't heard one person suggest resignation for Nagin and the whole NOLA city council, the LA Governor or any other local agencies. All I've heard is "Bush" this and "FEMA" that.

For someone who knows exactly how the Department of Homeland Security, FEMA, State and locals work together - that's preposterous.